North Wales Crusaders set for a pre-season clash against champions Leigh Centurions

Toby Adamson is action for North Wales Crusaders against Leigh at the Glyndwr University Racecourse.

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North Wales Crusaders will travel to current Championship champions Leigh Centurions for a pre-season friendly on Sunday, January 25 (3pm kick-off).

It is Crusaders’ second pre-season fixture to be announced and will take place the weekend before the Wrexham side face another Championship side in Wales head coach John Kear’s Batley Bulldogs.

Tickets for the clash with the Centurions are priced at £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and £5 for U16s, while U12s are free of charge when accompanied by an adult.

Crusaders head coach Anthony Murray and his assistant Alan Hadcroft are both former Leigh players and are close friends with Leigh boss Paul Rowley.

And Murray is looking forward to facing Leigh, in what he describes will be a “strong test”.

He said: “I’ve obviously got strong connections with Leigh, and so has Alan Hadcroft, with us being past players. When Paul got in touch about having a friendly match, I snapped his hand off.

Ryan Duffy in action for North Wales Crusaders against Leigh at the Glyndwr University Racecourse.

It’s a good opportunity for us to test ourselves against the best Championship team from last year and a team who will no doubt be up there again this season.

“It’s a really strong test for us and one that we’re all looking forward to.”

North Wales Crusaders team manager Bob Wilson said: “This is a good opportunity to develop our squad; you don’t get any sterner opposition than Leigh.

“We all know they had an incredible season last year and 2015 will see them get a chance to claim a Super League spot, which they have been working towards.

“However, we have retained and added to a very good squad who, in 2015, have the same aspirations and determination to do as well as they can in their respective league.”

Leigh Centurions head coach Paul Rowley is delighted that the Crusaders have agreed to travel to Leigh Sports Village.

“We are on good terms with the Crusaders and the game will be of mutual benefit to both teams as we finalise our preparations for the season”, he said.

Leigh Centurions Head of Rugby Derek Beaumont said: “I would like to thank North Wales Crusaders for stepping in to take this fixture after we had been left wanting from the cancelled friendly we had arranged with Salford.

Anthony Murray and his assistant Alan Hadcroft are former Leigh players who are personal friends of Paul and I and those kinds of relationships are always useful in our sport.

Leigh Centurions head of rugby Derek Beaumont said: “North Wales gave us two good games last year with a stand-out performance from Ryan Duffy on loan in their last game against us and is now a permanent signing for them.

“I am sure North Wales will provide a tough hit-out for our boys whilst they themselves gauge where they are for the strong challenge that they face next year.

“They have a good following of friendly supporters who we look forward to welcoming to the LSV.”